The release date is later than expected, but pre-order customers will get access to the beta version next summer, Bungie has said.

Somewhat surprisingly, given the Halo developer's previous relationship with Microsoft, it's PS3 and PS4 owners who'll get first crack at the beta, although Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners will get a turn.

"Today, in partnership with Activision, we are proud to announce that the worldwide launch of Destiny will happen on September 9th. Accordingly, the Destiny Beta will kick off in the summer of 2014, available first on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3," the developer said on its official blog.